OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of inhaled nitric oxide on outcomes in children with acute lung injury.

DESIGN: Retrospective study with a secondary data analysis of linked data from two national databases. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for potential confounding variables between patients who received at least 24 hours of inhaled nitric oxide (inhaled nitric oxide group) and those who did not receive inhaled nitric oxide (no inhaled nitric oxide group).

CONCLUSIONS: This large observational study demonstrated that inhaled nitric oxide administration in children with acute lung injury was not associated with improved mortality. Rather, it was associated with increased hospital utilization and hospital costs.